“What Does an Eating Disorder Look Like?” from Leslie Goldman’s “The Weighting Game” at Her Active Life

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“What Does an Eating Disorder Look Like?” from Leslie Goldman’s “The Weighting Game”

Posted November 28, 2007 at 02:00 PM by Zola Jones

Section: Her Health, Body Image, Eating Disorders, Special Features

Bulimia Many of you may know Charlotte, a frequent guest on the Weighting Game who possesses great insight, a tremendous talent for writing and is both incredibly witty while also being very sensitive to others’ needs. I wanted to post a blog of hers that I just read - it hit me hard and hope it touches all of you, too. Thanks, Charlotte.

What does an eating disorder look like?

“Someone please tell me because I don’t know.

Does it look like my friend Abby at the gym? She works out hours a day and is so thin she looks like a walking anatomy chart. Every few months she goes away for awhile. When she returns, looking slightly less gaunt, she tells us she was on “vacation.” While she’s gone, her best friend Ella instructs the rest of us on how to handle Abby when she returns from the eating disorder clinic. “Don’t tell her she’s looks good,” Ella pleads. “Don’t say anything about the way she looks.” The day before Abby had run away from her in-patient clinic. Literally. Ran in 100 degree weather with 70% humidity until she collapsed. The clinic kicked her out. “And whatever you do, don’t mention the weight gain.” Ella’s face is the picture of concern, “because she’s, like, definitely gained.” We all nod and promise but I’m left wondering why Ella brought it up in the first place. None of us would ever say those things. Yet somehow I don’t think it’s solely about protecting Abby. Ella needs to share the burden. She needs someone else to know.

Leslie Goldman, MPH, is the author of Locker Room Diaries: The Naked Truth About Women, Body Image, and Re-Imaging the “Perfect” Body (DaCapo, 2007). She lives in Chicago, where she writes about women’s health for publications like the Chicago Tribune, Health, Runner’s World, Women’s Health and Shape. Check out more of Leslie’s health tips at her blog, The Weighting Game.